my trip to the orthodontist

Have you ever felt out of place? Like really out of place? This morning as I'm heading back to the waiting area at the orthodontist I realized I was at least 10-15 years older than every single patient in there. When did I become the old person in the room? Once I got over the "I'm the elephant in the room" awkwardness I then faced much more serious problems.

My mouth is WAY too small for my teeth. Duh....that's why they're crooked. I was supposed to have 8 metal spacers put over my back molars and only 3 would fit. Not good. And to make matters worse, those 3 spacers took over an hour to get on. They pounded and pulled while I bit and cringed, but nothing worked. Finally after three hours of holding my tongue to the roof of my mouth they said they would just have to wait for my teeth to start shifting before they added the other ones. THREE hours for them to figure this out. How long were they in college? I could have told them all this before I even sat in the chair.

By the time they finish I'm the last patient in there and my other ortho peeps were off to 2nd period. I was given instructions on when and how often to clean my teeth and what and how to eat. I am only supposed to use my right back side to eat (my left molars aren't secure yet) and I can't eat anything hard or sticky. I also can't bite into anything with my front teeth. She said if I wanted a hamburger I'd have to cut it into bite sized pieces. What? Who does that? That ruins the whole concept of a hamburger.

My list of foods to avoid...

ice (at least ice cream wasn't on this list...I would have died)
nuts (WHAT? I live off of these things for snacks)
popcorn (torture when Thomas eats a HUGE bowl of it)
bagels (??? don't get this one)
celery (no loss here)
finger nails (EWWWWWWW....really? This is FOOD?)
raw carrots (oh well, I'll live ;)
hard and chewy candy (the ONLY kind I love)
gum (I've never cared for it before but now that I'm told NO I want it...go figure)
pens and pencils (is this really a problem? I've never been that hungry!)

So, there you have it, braces are not the greatest idea I've ever had. Not to mention my teeth don't touch because one in the front catches on the bottom brace so I can't chew my food. I choked on a tomato at lunch and trying to eat lettuce is a joke. It took me half an hour to eat 15 crackers simply because I couldn't chew them. It's going to be so fun.

new car!

We actually did it! We bought a new Mazda CX7 today. This is just a picture off the internet to give you an idea until we have a good camera to take pictures with. We are having a roof rack put on but they had to order one. It has tan leather seats and it's a perfect travel car for us. So much more room for Ana. More pictures coming soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Ana turns THREE!!!! Happy birthday to the cutest pup in the world. On the agenda for the birthday girl?

1) A run with mom and dad.

2) Treats

3) A trip to PetSmart to pick out a new toy.

4) Lots of beauty sleep.

5) Scrambled eggs with dinner.

6) Ice cream from PetSmart for dessert.

7) Lots of belly scratching.

8) More sleep, it's hard bein' a cute pup.

dreams are coming true

I passed my psychological evaluation. It only took three hours of testing and interviewing but they cleared me. I had no idea there were so many ways to ask the same dang questions over and over and over and over again.

I was sick, running on two hours of sleep, had to get up at 2AM, and we didn't get back until almost 10PM. It was a rough day. I'm surprised I didn't fall asleep during the interview.....the couch was so comfy.

I was picked up by a handsome guy with flowers and a sweet card and one VERY excited dog. I got the greeting that Thomas always gets when he's been gone for what feels like days (to a dog).

I meet for my final interview with the Captain on Friday and should be signing then. Then as long as I pass the Academy I'll be an officer :) This time school will not only be paid for, but I'll be getting PAID to go! What a concept.

I will soon have a job!!!

Doctors, braces, and a new car....

Yesterday was my medical exam and it was not fun. It took a long time and boy was I glad to get outta there. After shots, drawing blood, ekg's, x-rays, hearing tests, a lot of poking, prodding, and "monkey tricks" I was more than ready to run out of that office. The doctor had me doing all sorts of crazy stunts in the office. He says the police station requires it but I think he just had fun watching me make a fool of myself.

Dr: "You can keep your close on for this part. Touch your toes."

Me: "OK." (Thank goodness my clothes could stay on!)

Dr: "Hop on one foot."

Me: "OK." (I hop in one place.)

Dr: "No, for distance."

Me: "Oh." (He did not make it clear that there was a wrong way to hop)

Dr: "Squat down and do a duck walk."

Me: "Hahahaha. Seriously?" (I oblige only because I really want this job.)

Dr: "Hmmm, what else, I know there's something else. Oh, walk heel-to-toe."

Me: "OK."

Dr: "That's all I can remember. You did good."

Those are what I call monkey tricks. I will admit I would rather do those all day than have my blood taken again.

Tomorrow I have to go back for the blood results and to have my arm checked where they gave me the TB shot. Then I head over to another location to get finger printed and sign my packet so it can be sent somewhere. I'm just along for the ride. The recruiter calls me and tells me where to go and when and I do it.

After tomorrow I have to wait until Monday for the psych. eval. We're leaving at like 3AM!!! Good thing I'm not drivin'!

In between all this craziness I'm having braces put on. Thursday the 18th I get spacers put in and Thursday the 25th I get the braces on.

After I get an official job offer from the Captain and sign we will be purchasing a new car! Stay tuned for details and pics.

he's home. camera broke.

Thomas made it home safely last night! He's taking me out for Mexican this afternoon to celebrate my almost-job :) He has the weekend off so I won't be on the computer or answering my phone ;) Hope there are no emergencies.

A new camera is on its way...hopefully. Right dad? After graduating from WSU I've received some pretty sweet graduation gifts. The new ipod that plays the radio from my mom (the only radio we have in our house since both of our stereos broke a couple moves ago) and a new camera that should be arriving soon.

Anyways, the final stages of this long hiring process should be over in a couple weeks. I have a medical exam this Monday and my psychological evaluation the Monday after that. As long as I pass both I'll meet with the Captain and have a real, grown-up job! Wish me luck because I am HORRIFIED at the mere thought of needles and they have to DRAW BLOOD. I think I might cry.....my heart rate reaches 170 just thinking about it.

Have a great weekend!

soooooo close

I signed a conditional offer of employment this morning!!! As long as I pass the medical screenings the Captain will offer me the job. They want me to start at the Academy April 5th!!! I'm of course SOOOOOOOOO excited and can't wait to sign the official offer from the Captain. Just a couple more hurdles.

it's coming along

(Has nothing to do with this post but he's so cute I couldn't resist.)

The background investigator is coming to my house tomorrow! Things are moving along. Hopefully it's not too much longer before I have an answer....or a JOB offer :) He's already called all my personal references and jobs so I think this is the last part. Keep your fingers crossed!